Development of efficient techniques for promoting early maturation, detection of sex and maximization of growth in shortnose sturgeon for aquaculture production

鲟鱼卵，也被称为鱼子酱，和鲟鱼肉是世界上最有价值的鱼类产品之一。全世界有27种鲟鱼，几乎所有的都受到威胁或濒临灭绝。对鱼子酱和肉类的需求极高，并将随着鱼类的继续捕捞而增长。在过去的15年里，鲟鱼的水产养殖生产已成为鱼子酱和鱼肉的重要贡献者。鲟鱼肉的高价值，甚至在市场上增值之前，鱼子酱的极高价格，以及我们在再循环系统中种植它们的能力，使这些物种成为加拿大水产养殖发展的理想候选人。在大西洋地区，人们对开发鲟鱼用于水产养殖很感兴趣。Breviro Caviar Inc是唯一一家在加拿大大西洋地区成功生产鱼子酱的公司，也是世界上唯一一家生产短吻鲟鱼子酱的公司。大学研究人员和具有这种经验的工业合作伙伴之间的合作为促进加拿大水产养殖科学和鲟鱼肉和鱼子酱生产提供了一个独特的机会。Breviro Caviar已经投入了大量的投资和部分设施来承担这个项目中提出的工作。通过这一合作努力开发的实验和模型的结果将用于加速加拿大短吻鲟的发展，并通过允许多样化，扩张和可持续性来鼓励加拿大水产养殖业的增长。该项目的目标是：（1）开发经济有效的技术和工艺，以促进早熟，在发育早期检测性别，并确定物理和生物条件，以最大限度地促进生产鱼子酱的短吻鲟的生长;（2）培训高素质的人员;和3）将信息传递给Breviro Caviar，以便他们能够改进和进一步开发其鱼子酱生产的经济生产模型和策略。

Sturgeon eggs, also known as caviar, and sturgeon meat are among the most highly valued fish products in the world. Worldwide there are 27 species of sturgeon and almost all are threatened or endangered. Demand for caviar and meat is extremely high and will grow as stocks continue to be fished. Over the last 15 years, aquaculture production of sturgeon has become an important contributor of caviar and fish flesh. The high value of sturgeon flesh, even before value added dress-up for market, the extremely high price of caviar, and our ability to grow them in recirculation systems makes these species ideal candidates for aquacultural development in Canada. There has been considerable interest in developing sturgeon for aquaculture in the Atlantic region. Breviro Caviar Inc. is the only company to successfully produce caviar in an aquaculture setting in Atlantic Canada and they are also the only producer of shortnose sturgeon caviar in the world. Collaboration between university researchers and an industrial partner with this experience presents a unique opportunity to advance the science of aquaculture and production of sturgeon meat and caviar in Canada. Breviro Caviar has dedicated a large investment and portion of their facility to undertake the work proposed in this project. The results of the experiments and models developed through this collaborative effort will be used to accelerate the development of shortnose sturgeon in Canada, and encourage growth of the Canadian aquaculture industry by allowing for diversification, expansion and sustainability. The objectives of the project are to: 1) develop economically efficient techniques and technology to stimulate early maturation, detect sex early in development, and determine physical and biological conditions in order to maximize growth for production of shortnose sturgeon for production of caviar; 2) train highly qualified personnel; and 3) transfer information to Breviro Caviar so they can refine and further develop their economic production models and strategies for their production of caviar.